— Project Title: Perception, Authenticity and Auditory Cues (PAAAC, preliminary title)

— Funding: Science Park of University of Iceland fund and Treble Technologies

— Collaborative Partners: Treble Technologies ehf.

— Timeline: January 2022 – March 2025 (subject to change)

— Purpose: To investigate the suitability of using acoustic simulations in a virtual echolocation training system.

— Research Questions: What simulation strategies are suitable for use with a virtual echolocation training system? Is modelling of diffraction crucial for task performance in a virtual echolocation training environment? What level of accuracy in the simulation of virtual 3D acoustics is perceptually distinguishable by users, and how do computational limitations impact the balance between realistic sound simulation and perceptual capabilities?

— Methodology:  Different simulation algorithms were tested, and their outcome was compared with measurements to verify the objective accurateness of the simulations. The algorithms were also tested with respect to the acoustic phenomenon of diffraction which was tried in a listening test where the participants were asked to detect differences between different simulations of a plate with changing width, where the only contribution from the sound source was through edge diffraction from the plate. Moving forward, the algorithms will be used in an echolocation task where the participants are asked to detect the closest wall in a virtual environment using head tracked audio.